Desk Organizer

So cute right?!  This time of year I am collecting the tax stuff, and the bills, that never go away, so I thought a desk organizer would be in order.

Last week on my blog I shared a Repurposed Crib Paint Shelf (which has been totally awesome!) and I had some fence boards and crib slats left over (left).

I grabbed the scraps and started playing around with how to make my desk organizer.  After discovering some left over chicken wire, I knew I was in business…time to build!

I started by cutting the bottom piece, and then the two sides.  For the dividers I just had to make sure they were 1/2” (the thickness of the wood) less then the sides (top left).

Then I laid out all the pieces and measured up from the bottom for where the front board would be (top middle).  Using a crib slat (top right) I measured from the back (1”), and then drew a line to match the two edges (bottom left).  I cut all the board on this line at a 45 degree angle.

For the front and back pieces I grabbed a scrap 1×3 board and a scrap piece of plywood that happened to be exactly the right width, couldn’t have planned it better!  Using my bottom board and dividers as a guide I marked my cut lines and trimmed the boards to fit.

For building the chicken wire frame, I grabbed the crib slats (or rails, not sure what is right) and used my organizer as my guide to measure and cut them to the correct width.  I just guessed at how tall I wanted it to be. 🙂

When you DIY you can make it to any size you want, but to make it easy if you don’t want to think, here are the measurements of my organizer pieces.  Keep in mind that you need to be aware of the thickness of your wood, my dividers and bottom pieces were about 1/2” thick, and my front and back pieces were 3/4” thick.

I grabbed my Kreg K5 Pocket-Hole Jig and drilled 1/2” pocket holes into my crib slats.  I also drilled into one slat so I could attach it to my organizer with pocket holes.  I used the Kreg Jig Micro Drill Guide System to make the pocket holes smaller, since the slats were so small, to avoid splitting the wood.

Then I clamped my frame down with my new Kreg Clamp Trak Kit and drilled the slats together with 1” pocket hole screws and wood glue.  If you have a sharp eye you may have noticed that the pocket holes I drilled on the middle board are facing inside the frame.  I attached it the wrong way! Oops!  I ended up having to re-drill new pocket holes next to these, but going the other way, luckily an easy fix.

I trimmed my chicken wire with pliers that I had to open them really wide to get to the wire cutter part (I should have run to the garage to get the wire scissors!).  I stapled it onto the back of the frame, and THEN went to get the scissors to trim off the excess.

To build the organizer box, I used wood glue and finish nails.  Using my Ryobi Nail Gun I started by attaching the two sides (top left).  Next, I added the dividers (top right).  Then the front and the back (bottom) making sure to nail into all sides and divider pieces.

To finish it off I added glue to the back piece and screwed on my crib slat chicken wire frame with 1” pocket hole screws.  And that is it!

Oh, I do want to mention if you are worried about the sharp chicken wire edges you can cut small strips of felt and hot glue them over the exposed wire edges to prevent scratches and injury. 🙂

When I finished, I packed my tools into the organizer to take it inside…and realized it would be great in the workshop too!

I had my kids vote on the color from my spray paint stash…truth Gail.  They picked……..BLUE!!!  Muahahah!  I have trained them well.  😉

This color is left over from my Standing Coat Rack, and I am thinking this organizer would be cute in the entryway on the wall right next to it!  So many great uses for this piece!

After the paint dried, I went to my old standby of I Love Chalkboards.  Instead of painting them on I remembered I had these cool stickers left over from my Cubby Storage Rack, and they saved the day!

Of course when I went to find them I got side tracked and saw the washi tape, which reminded me of my Repurposed Hook Shelf…and I ended up decorating the clothes pins.

Here it is before I went a little crazy with the washi tape!

Then the after.  Obviously the clothes pins weren’t the only thing that got “jazzed” up.  I think it makes it look fun.  The best part is, you can take it off when you are tired of it, or want another color or pattern.

I love the fun addition of the chicken wire, for photos, quotes, important notes, or whatever!

So, what would use this for?  I can think of so many different ideas, I would love to hear yours!

Thanks for reading, and please come visit me at MyLove2Create for more great ideas!

Mindi
see more of Mindi’s posts on MRL below:

Serving Stands | Make Your Own From Repurposed Drawer Fronts

Grain Stripe Step Stool Makeover

Hanging Cedar Wall Planter

DIY Dog Bowl Holder

Spindle Crate

Reclaimed Wood Photo Display

Desk Organizer

Repurposed Cupboard Door Lap Desk

Kingsize Headboard Bench

Chalkboard Coat Rack

Caddy or Tray Repurposed from Hymnbook Holders

Easy DIY Trivets

Repurposed Cupboard Door Bookshelf

Rustic Industrial Narrow Bookshelf

Repurposed Cupboard Door Shelf

Repurposed bar stool leg Bench

Reclaimed Wood Shelves

Old Drawer Cabinet

Old Drawer Cubby Organizer

Repurposed Storage Bench

Dresser Turned Bench

Avengers Subway Art

Kid Storage Bench

Rustic Industrial Coffee Table

DIY A-Frame Crate

DIY Octagon Mirror

Repurposed Shutters and Desk into Potting Bench

Repurposed Bench Planter

DIY Corner Planter

Stackable Pallet Crates

Cheap Cabinet into Nice Bench

Corner Cabinet Makeover

Old Picture Frame Chalkboard Easel

Kid’s old drawer media cabinet

Leather Belt Crate

License Plate Coat Racks

Large Rustic Clock

Repurposed Crib Dog Crate

Rustic Industrial Kid Chairs

Repurposed Cabinet Doors into a Desk

DIY Storage Crates

Cubby Shelf Makeover

Pallet Top Table

Industrial Rivet Chalkboard

Under the Bed Storage

DIY Tray Stand and Old toolbox

Entry Table Made from Reclaimed Lumber

Stool Turned Side Table

Curtain Tie Backs into Towel Hooks

Old Chairs into New Bench

Old Drawers into Porch Planters

French Inspired Piano Bench Makeover

Cupboard Door into Command Center

Table Top into Game Box

Night Stand Makeover

Faux Metal Finish Upcycled Shelf

Curtains to Bench top

Repurposed Peg Hook Shelf into Fun Book Shelf